Electrical cord connection



y 1939- w E F. ALSROM. JR 2,165,952

ELEGTRICAL CORD CONNECTION Filed Feb. 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 11, 1939. E. F. ALSROM. JR

ELECTRICAL CORD CONNECTION Filed Feb. 1, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES ELECTRICAL CORD CONNECTION Ernest Frederick Alstrom, Jr., Cicero, Ill.

Application February 1, 1931, Serial No. 123,398

I Claims. (Cl. 173-334) This invention relates to separable electrical connections for the flexible cords of electrical devices and appliances in general.

Generally stated, the object of the invention 5 is to provide an improved construction and arrangement whereby a separable plug and socket connection is provided that can be used in various ways, to separably connect an electrical device or appliance to a current outlet, by ordi- 1o nary flexible cords or insulated wires, to suit the convenience oi the user,- or to suit the requirements of diflerent situations.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of construction and combinations l5v tending to increase the general efllciency and desirability of separable electrical connections 01' this particular character.

To the foregoing and other useful ends,- the invention consists in matters hereinafter set forth and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective oi. electrical cord connecting means having separable connections involving the principles oi the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-4 in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing one oi the :ionnecting devices of Fig. 1 in separated condi- Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of one of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of the metal contacts enclosed in the body shown in Fig. 5 of the drawngs.

Fig. 'l is a perspective of one of the parts of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the part that is inserted in the part shown in Fig. 'l o! the drawngs.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section 01 the parts I, I and I, coupled together to establish the desired electrical connection.

5 Fig. 10 is a perspective, with certain parts broken away for convenience oi illustration, showing another form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the structure shown in Fig. 10 oi the drawings, 'with a plug inserted in each end thereof.

As thus illustrated, referring to Figs. 1. to 4 inclusive, and '7 to 9 inclusive, the invention comprises a hollow body i of any suitable insulating material, having side wallsprovided with a 5 circumferential groove 2. adjacent the entrance 3, which latter is oi irregular shape, as shown in Fig. 3 0! the drawings. The base or closed end 4 is provided with metal prongs 5. as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the outer ends of which are for insertion in an ordinary socket or elec- 'il trical outlet. The solid member is also made of any suitable insulating material and is formed with a flattened portion 1, over which the cover 8 of insulation is placed, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9' o! the drawings. The flat portion I is 10 provided at its end with notches 9 to receive the inner ends of the prongs 5, and metal contacts or electrodes II are molded in the material from which the member 6 is made, so that these electrodes are exposed in the said notches, in position to engage the inner ends of the prongs i, in the manner shown more clearly in Fig. 9 o! the drawings. The member 6 has an opening Ii at its bottom, through which the flexible cord connection I! extends, and the bare end portions go I! of the two wires of said card are broughtupwardly and suitably soldered or otherwise fastened to the electrodes It in the manner shown, so that the two wires of the cord are each con-- nected to one of said electrodes, and through the 95 latter to one of the prongs 5* of the hollow member i, which is placed over the flat portion I of the member in the manner shown and described. It will be seen that the portion I is equipped with lugs or projections II at each side so thereof, which pass through the opening I, when the portion I is inserted through said opening. and by a limited turn these projections II are brought into proper engagement with the flanges l5, as shown in Fig. 9, in a manner to hold the as parts i and l tightly together, and in such condition that the separable connection thus provided at the end of the cord I! can be usedas a plug by inserting the prongs 5 into the openings of an ordinary electrical outlet.

By using the elongated body I, shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, with a plurality of openings 3 therein, and with prongs II which each have a plurality of inner ends II, a plurality of cordseach connected'to a body Q can be connected in 45 common to the prongs ll, by insertion of the portion 1 of each body 6 into one 0! the openings 3, shown in Fig. 5 0! the drawings. Thus, a multiple connection be made by a single pair of prongs II, to a Again referring to Fig 1 and 2, it will be seen .that a round hollow body ll oi suitable insulation can be equipped with a plurality oi! the openings 3, and with electrodes or prongs 20 tor each opening, to receive a plurality of members It le electrical outlet.

i, so that, through the one cord l1, current can be distributed through other cords II to a plurality oi electrical devices or appliances.

In Figs. 10 and ii of the drawings, a sleeve or tubular member 24 is provided, of any suitable insulating material, having a middle wall 25, through which the prongs 26 extend and project at each end thereof. The members 6 are like the members 6 shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, and make the same electrical contact with the prongs 26, when the flat portions I of the members 8 are inserted through the openings 3 formed at opposite ends of the cylindrical body 24, thus forming a separable connection in a length of flexible cord. In other words, means are shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings for connecting two members 6 together, as in lengthening a flexible cord.

From the foregoing, it wiil be seen that various separable connections can be provided, for electrical apparatus, or the use of electrical devices and appliances, to suit the convenience of the user, or to suit the requirements of diflerent situations. In each case, however, the members I to i are used, either in the form shown in Fig. 9 oi the drawings, or in the form shown in Figs. 5 and 11 of the drawings, ii the round members I are not used. In Fig. 11 of the drawings, the cylindrical body 24 is in the nature of two 01 the members I placed end to end and made integral with each other. In Fig. 5 of the drawings, the hollow body I6 is in the nature of a plurality of the bodies I placed side by side and made integral with h other, and such is substantially the case in; g. l where the round body I! is in the nature of a plurality of bodies I placed in a circle and made integral.

It is obvious that either the hollow member or the solid member can be provided with external prongs, of any suitable or desired character, for insertion in an ordinary electric outlet, or that either member can be fixed in a wall or other support, instead of being removable therefrom, if such is necessary or desirable.

In general, it will be seen that the hollow member I is substantially cup shaped, and that in Fig. 2 a plurality of such members are in eil'ect integrally merged together, in a circle, while in Fig. 5 they are in a straight row. In Fig. 11, there are two such cup shaped members end to end. The flange 6 serves as a handle by which to relatively rotate the plug in the hollow member.

Obviously, the opening 3, in each form of the invention, is of such shape that a reverse twist is necessary to pull out the plug or solid member, as the latter, because of the shape 01 the opening 3, as shown, cannot turn clear around, after being inserted, but can only turn a limited distance either way. And, moreover, it will be seen that the prongs 5 or 20 or 26 are not necessarily disengaged irom other contacts when the plug 6 is pulled out of the hollow member, other than those of the plug.

In each form of applicant's invention, there is a cup of insulation. In Fig. 3, for example, the cup is desigated by the numeral I, while in Fig. 2 the cup is designated by the numeral I9, it being a multiple cup in this case. In Fig. 5 the cup member is designated by the numeral I6, while in Fig. 9 the cup member is again designated by the num I, and in Fig. 11 the cup member is designated by the numeral 24, for the latter is a double cup, there being one at each end oi the cup member.

It is obvious, of course, that instead of the outside portions of the prongs i any other well known or ordinary form of plug can be used, for plugging into an ordinary socket or outlet, as the invention broadly, of course, involving the wires I8 and the sleeve Ii, the latter holding the wires in engagement with the electrodes IQ, for example, can be used in any well known or ordinary torm of plug connection, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be seen, therefore, that the invention, involving the bare wire ends of the cord bent over the electrodes or contact pieces, and held in place thereon by a sleeve of insulation, is an expedient for obviating the necessity of using screws or solder or similar means for attaching the ends of electric current wires to electrodes or contact pieces, and that the invention may be used in plugs tor insertion In floor or wall outlets, or in other electrical devices, where it is necessary to connect the bare ends of electric wires to metal electrodes or contact pieces, and where it is desirable to do this in a manner obviating the use of solder and screws and other similar means, thereby to reduce the cost of production and facilitate the inspection and repair of electrical devices of this general class.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination or a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with a pair of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereof, these prongs having relatively long outside portions spaced apart for engagement with metal contacts, and having relatively short inside portions spaced apart a distance, a body of insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with electrodes for engagement with said inside portions, and a pair of conductors leading through said body to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one position, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors comprising wires bent over said electrodes, and a removable sleeve of insulation on said body to hold said wires in bent engagement with said electrodes, so that by removing said sleeve the wire can be pulled out.

2. The combination of a separable electric plug connection cup oi insulation, with a pair of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereohthese prongs having relatively long outside portions spaced apart for engagement with metal contacts, and having relatively short inside portions spaced apart a distance, a body of insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with electrodes for engagement with said inside portions, and a pair of conductors leading through said body to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against'separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one position, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation In said first direction, said conductors having ununited engagement or contact with said electrodes, and a sleeve of insulation extending over a portion of said body to maintain tight engagement of said conductors with said electrodes.

3. The combination 01' a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with a pair of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereof, these prongs having relatively long outside portions spaced apart for engagement with metal contacts,

and having relatively shortjnside portions spaced apart a distance, a body 01' insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with electrodes for engagement with said inside portions. and a pair of conductors leading through said body to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one position, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors having ununited engagement or contact with said electrodes, and a sleeve of insulation extending over a portion of said body to maintain tight engagement of said conductors with said electrodes, said sleeve being entirely enclosed by said cup, and said body having an'exposed portion uncovered by said sleeve.

4. The combination of a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with a pair of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereoif, these prongs 'having relatively long outside portions spaced apart for engagement with metal contacts, and having relatively short inside portions spaced apart a distance, a body of insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with electrodes for engagement with said inside portions, and a pair of conductors leading through said body to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one position, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first.direction, said conductors comprising wires bent over the edges of said electrodes, and then along the surface of the latter, with insulating sleeve means holding the wires in said bent engagement with the electrodes.

5. The combination 0! a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with a pair oi metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereof, these prongs having connection with outside metal engaging portions ror separable engagement with other metal contacts, and having two duplicate inside engaging portions spaced apart a distance inside the interior of the cup, 9. body of insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with two duplicate electrodes for engagement with the outer sides of said inside portions, the two electrodes thereby having interchangeable engagement with said inside engaging portions, and a pair of conductors leading to the outer end of said body and through the latter to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one direction, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors comprising wires bent over said electrodes, and a removable sleeve 01' insulation on said body to hold said wires in bent engagement with said electrodes, so that by removing said sleeve the wire can be pulled out.

1 B. The combination of a separable electric plug connection cup or insulation, with a pair of metal portions, the two electrodes thereby having interchangeable engagement with said inside engaging portions, and a pair of conductors leading to the outer end of said body and through the latter to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one direction, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors having ununited engagement or contact with said electrodes, and a sleeve of insulation extending over a portion 01' said body to maintain tight engagement of said conductors with said electrodes.

'1. The combination of a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with a pair of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereof, these prongs having connection with outside metal engaging portions for separable engagement with other metal contacts, and having two duplicate inside engaging portions spaced apart a distance inside the interior of the cup, a body of insulation formed for insertion in said cup and having its inner end provided with two duplicate electrodes for engagement with the outer sides of said inside portions, the two electrodes thereby having interchangeable engagement with said inside engaging portions, and a pair of conductors leading to the outer end of said body and through the latter to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one direction, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors hayin ununited engagement or contact with said electrodes, and a sleeve of insulation extending over a portion of said body to maintain tight engagement of said conductors with said electrodes, said sleeve being entirely enclosed by said cup, and said body having an exposed portion uncovered by said sleeve. 1

B. The combination of a separable electric plug connection cup of insulation, with apalr of metal prongs imbedded in the bottom wall thereof, these prongs having connection with' outside metal engaging portions for separable engagement with other metal contacts, and having two duplicate inside engaging portions spaced apart a distance inside the interior or the cup, 9. body of insulation formed tor insertion in said cup andhaving its inner end provided with two duplicate electrodes for engagement with the outer sides of said inside portions, the two electrodes thereby having interchangeable engagement with said inside engaging portions, and a pair of conductors leading to the outer end of said body and through the latter to said electrodes, the cup and body being interlocked against separation when relatively positioned rotatively in one direction, and being unlocked when relatively positioned rotatively in the opposite direction, the said interlock limiting rotation in said first direction, said conductors comprising wires bent over the edges oi. said electrodes, and then along the surface of the latter, with insulating sleeve means holding the wires in said bent engagement with the electrodes.

9. A structure as specified in claim 8, said other metal contacts being those inside 01' an electrical wall or floor outlet, so that the entire plug unit is separable from said outlet, and the two parts of said unit are also separable from each other.

10. In an electrical connection, the combination of a cup-like member of insulating material, metal contacts imbedded in the transverse wall of the inner portion of said plug. holding the bent ends of the conductors in electrical contact with said electrodes, the outer ends of said contacts being adapted for inclusion in an electrical circuit, the plug member being rotatable in the cup member for locking connection therewith. and in an opposite direction for disconnection therefrom.

ERNEST ALSTROM, JR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,165, 952.

July 11, 1939.

ERNEST FREDERICK ALSTROII, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the heading to the drawintgs, shflezets l and 2, name of inventor, for E. F. ALSROM, JR" read E. F. Als rum, 1

and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdsle, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

the inner portion of said plug. holding the bent ends of the conductors in electrical contact with said electrodes, the outer ends of said contacts being adapted for inclusion in an electrical circuit, the plug member being rotatable in the cup member for locking connection therewith. and in an opposite direction for disconnection therefrom.

ERNEST ALSTROM, JR.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,165, 952.

July 11, 1939.

ERNEST FREDERICK ALSTROII, JR.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the heading to the drawintgs, shflezets l and 2, name of inventor, for E. F. ALSROM, JR" read E. F. Als rum, 1

and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 19th day of September A. D. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdsle, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

